Turkey and Pan-Turkism as Factors in Nazi Germany’s Strategy in the Struggle Against the Soviet Union. Between Politics and Propaganda

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of Nazi Germany’s approaches towards Turkey and pan-Turkism in the German struggle against the Soviet Union. Particular attention is paid to political and diplomatic considerations, as well as propaganda guidelines adopted in Germany after the invasion of the Soviet Union. Geographically, a special emphasis is laid on the North Caucasus. Turkey was linked with the Caucasus in general and with the North Caucasus in particular through centuries-old cultural and religious ties that flowed naturally from geographical proximity, often supplemented by ethnic and religious affinities between Turkey and the Caucuses, including the North Caucasian peoples. Turkish influence was historically associated with pan-Turkism, a trend that emphasized the spiritual closeness of all people of Turkic origin, regardless of existing borders. In this respect, the German policy towards Turkey was unique, as this was a neutral country with whom Germany played a rather uncharacteristic subtle diplomatic and propaganda game. Its purpose was to tie Turkey to the Third Reich, giving it a role as “subcontractor” to control regions inhabited by peoples who historically gravitated towards Turkey. If this turned out to be impossible in the present or near future, even then the region should have been governed by Germany, with an eye to the interests of an important “shadow” player (Turkey). Germany’s flirtation with Turkey and attempts to win over Soviet Turkic peoples, including those in the Caucasus, were indicative of the desperate search for allies. This, in turn, resulted from the German realization that the Wehrmacht was firmly bogged down in the course of Operation Barbarossa.